The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) announced on Monday, Aug. 8 that it requires all individuals who enter the stable areas, including members of the news media, to obtain a CHRB license.
Those who request infrequent access to the stable area will not need a license but must be signed in as a guest by the host racetrack. Non-CHRB media credentials are not sufficient for entry to the restricted stable area.
Historically, all news media have been screened and approved by each track’s publicity department. Those with legitimate business have been granted access to stable areas. This practice will continue for those who infrequently need access to stable areas. But those with a more regular presence in stable areas will need to acquire a CHRB “Z” (Other) license from one of the CHRB licensing offices. The fee for a Z license is $75, and depending on the applicant’s birth date, the license is good for two to three years. All applicants must be fingerprinted and are checked for California and nationwide criminal history. Individuals have until August 31 to come into compliance.
(With files from CHRB)